Athens City Clerk Annette Barnes-Threet, left, and Mayor Ronnie Marks celebrate the delivery of the deed for the former Pilgrim’s Pride chicken processing facility Friday by displaying the deed and having some fried chicken.

In July, the City Council agreed to purchase the property for $550,000. It will pay an additional $499,000 to demolish existing structures and $115,800 to remove asbestos from the site. The site and related improvements will be included in a tax increment financing district approved Monday by the council. City officials believe the former Pilgrim’s Pride will eventually be home to housing and public green space.